Illinois State University

Illinois State University was the first public university in the state of Illinois and to this day, remains a first-choice institution of many students from around the globe, as indicated by the 20,000-plus student population. The university is renowned for its academic excellence and small class sizes that facilitate personalized attention for students from teachers. The university’s retention rate over the past decade has been among the top 10 percent in the USA. Illinois State University has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the best value public university in the state of Illinois. The college’s campus is located in Normal, just a short drive from St. Louis and Chicago. The campus is minutes away from restaurants, locally owned shops, and hotels in the thriving central business district.